Program Booklet International Friendship Concert April 3, 2016

North Shore Choral Society
Concert of
International Friendship
Songs of Peace April 3, 2016 Regina Dominican High School Wilmette, Illinois INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP Julia Davids, Music Director Donald Chen, NSCS Music Director Emeritus and Guest Conductor Faith Keady, Conducting Apprentice Furusato ............................................................................................ Teiichi Okano Combined Choirs – Tetsuo Hashio, conductor Butterfly, Fly in My Window .................................................... Robert Applebaum Hotaru Koi (Come, Firefly) ................................................................. arr. Ro Ogura Kaze no Toori Michi (The Path of the Wind) ............. Joe Hisaishi, arr. Gary Geiger Lift Up Your Voice ......................................................................... Victor C. Johnson Evanston Children’s Choir – Gary Geiger, conductor Ave Maria ............................................................................................ Norio Suzuki Mother Teresa, Words of Love ............................................................ Norio Suzuki Kyoto Concert Choir – Tetsuo Hashio, conductor ~ Intermission ~ Shalom – A Reason for Peace ............................................................ Robert Evans Håll Facklan Högt (Requiem for Peace) ............................................... Larry Nickel NSCS Chamber Choir Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen (Ein deutsches Requiem) .... Johannes Brahms Alleluia ..................................................................................... Randall Thompson Shenandoah ..................................................... American Folksong, arr. James Erb Witness ...................................................... Traditional Spiritual, arr. Jack Halloran Hymn to Freedom ............................... Oscar Peterson, arr. Seppo Hovi, Paul Read Combined Choirs Happy 80th Birthday, North Shore Choral Society! Sing, Share, Inspire! Music Director Julia Davids is sorry to miss today’s celebration of cultures through singing. She is currently in Calgary, Alberta, at the Juno Music Awards weekend. The Canadian Chamber Choir, for which she is Artistic Director, was nominated for Best Classical Album: Vocal or Choral for their recent recording, Sacred Reflections of Canada – A Canadian Mass. The Juno awards are the Canadian version of the Grammy awards. Julia is very grateful to Director Emeritus Donald Chen and Conducting Apprentice Faith Keady for conducting today, allowing her to celebrate and be at the awards in person. PROGRAM NOTES Welcome to the North Shore Choral Society’s concert of International Friendship – the second concert of our 2015/16 season of Songs of Peace. We are delighted to welcome the Kyoto Concert Choir and their conductor, Tetsuo Hashio, as well as our dear friends and frequent collaborators, the Evanston Children’s Choir and their director Gary Geiger. We are especially excited to be joining in singing two pieces that are representative of our cultures. We’ll open with a very famous Japanese children’s song, “Furusato” or “Homeland.” Written in 1914, the song expresses a feeling of nostalgia for the countryside of the writer’s homeland. We’ll close our concert with “Hymn to Freedom” by jazz pianist and composer Oscar Peterson. The lyrics of this song express the desire for all people to come together and yearn for peace. We are so grateful that our guests have joined their voices with ours for this celebration of cultures! Originally a law student, Norio Suzuki began his music studies at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (now Tokyo University of the Arts). A member of the Japan Society of Composers, Mr. Suzuki studied composition and orchestration with Akira Ifukube. He based his “Ave Maria” on traditional text and “Mother Teresa, Words of Love” on the words of the soon-­‐to-­‐be-­‐canonized saint who devoted her life to the poor, the destitute, and the sick.
Robert Evans (b. 1933), a native of Ontario, Canada, has successfully combined careers as a composer, performer, writer, poet, and photographer with those of a teacher, educator, lecturer, and administrator. He has composed for woodwinds, brass, and guitar, as well as numerous works for instrumental and choral ensembles. “Shalom – A Reason for Peace” is dedicated to and in memory of the sixteen children who were massacred in March 1996, the innocents of Dunblane, Scotland. The composer writes: “The words of peace were collected in a random fashion during my travels from people of many origins. Often, the sources were oral, where the speaker was unable to spell or write the word. Thus, this is not a scholarly linguistic dissertation; rather, it is a gathering of our connections linking us in a circle of peace.” An active conductor and educator, Larry Nickel (b. 1952) directs the Jubilate Vocal Ensemble and owns Cypress Choral Music Publishing which currently promotes the music of almost 100 Canadian composers. Nickel wrote Requiem for Peace as his doctoral thesis at the University of British Columbia. It is an extensive work for soloists, chorus, and orchestra in thirteen languages, and it recently received multiple performances in Bayreuth, Germany. The NSCS will perform the entire Requiem on May 14th, 2016. Nickel added “Håll Facklan Högt” to the Requiem in 2014 for the European Premiere commenting, “Requiem for Peace is a work in progress. Should the work be performed in India one day, I’d be happy to add a new piece in Hindi or Punjabi!” This is one of four movements of the Requiem especially written for a cappella chamber choir. It is lyrical with beautiful dissonances and a dance-­‐like lilt, reminiscent of traditional Swedish folk music. Johannes Brahms wrote his Deutsches Requiem between 1865 and 1868. While sacred, it is not a liturgical Latin Requiem, but is in German. Brahms’ longest work, the oratorio is in seven movements. The fourth movement, the apex of the work, is “Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen” (“How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place”) which sets portions of Psalm 84. The sweeping, lyrical lines depict the vast architecture of the house of the Lord, and the comfort the soul will receive once there. Randall Thompson (1899 – 1984) is one of America’s best-­‐known composers. He was educated at Harvard and received his doctorate from the Eastman School of Music. He later held positions at the University of California, Princeton University, and the Curtis Institute of Music. He composed three symphonies but is best known for his choral works. “Alleluia” was commissioned in 1940 to commemorate the opening of the Berkshire Music Center. Thompson was asked to write a fanfare but as the composer stated, “In view of the state of Europe and the fall of France at that time, I could write no fanfare. Instead, “Alleluia” was written …” This finely-­‐crafted piece is one of the most celebrated and performed pieces for a cappella choir. “Shenandoah” is a traditional American folksong whose origins are unclear although it has been sung from at least the mid 1800’s through present times. It was known as a popular sea-­‐chanty and has also been associated with slaves escaping during the Civil War. James Erb’s lovely eight part mixed chorus arrangement was written for the University of Richmond Choir in 1971 and has become part of the standard repertoire for choirs. Arranger Jack Halloran (1916-­‐1997) was born in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and earned degrees in music from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, and Northwestern University in Evanston. He sang with a male quartet called the Cadets on several Chicago-­‐based radio shows, including The Breakfast Club with Don McNeill. Relocating to Hollywood, Halloran became a choral director for films, records, and television, working with such entertainers as Roy Rogers, Pat Boone, Ray Charles, and Frank Sinatra. “Witness” is a traditional Spiritual, arranged by Halloran. It is a complex arrangement that highlights various voice parts and moves easily from straight eighth notes to the middle section that ‘swings.’ ~ Julia Davids TEXT AND TRANSLATION Furusato I chased after rabbits on that mountain; I fished for minnow in that river. I still dream of those days even now. Oh, how I miss my old home town. Father and mother―are they doing well? Is everything well with my old friends? When the rain falls, when the wind blows, I stop and recall my old country home. Once I have done what I set out to do, I'll return home, one of these days, Where the mountains are green, where the waters are clear, my home town. Ave Maria Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Tears wept by mothers, because of wars, are like waters of the ocean.
Pray for us, Holy Mary. Hail Mary. Mother Teresa: Words of Love There is no one by my side.
Lord have mercy.
Among the experiences of human beings, the most terrible poverty is the feeling of being unloved. If there is someone ill in your family or someone feeling lonely, please stay by their side. Give compassion and love to other people. I am a pencil
Glory to God in the highest.
I am a pencil, a little pencil in the hand of God. I am just a little pencil. That is all I am. What are we doing?
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the oceans would be missing something. Lord, to serve you today
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Lord, if you wish to use my hands, please use my hands today to save people who are poor and people who are not well. Lord, if you wish to use my legs, I will offer my legs today to visit people who want to have friends. Lord, if you wish to use my voice, please use my voice today to talk to those who are hungry for kind words. Lord, if you wish to use my heart, I will offer my heart today to love anyone whoever they may be. Hosanna in the highest. Shalom – A Reason for Peace Peace (in 32 dfferent languages) Håll Facklan Högt (from Requiem for Peace) Tänd hoppets fackla i kvävande kväll, blås levande själ i dess låga. Än ligger glöden på altarets häll och gudarna kan vi fråga. Håll facklan högt. Låt ljuset skina av kärlek och fred. Få skina av kärlek och fred. Vår människovärld har mörknat ner, men åter skall eldarna tändas. Och vigda facklor som klarhet ger. Med budskap kring lander sändas. Light the torch of hope; Blow living soul into its flame. Still there is glow on the altar; Still the gods are there to be asked.
Hold the torch high; Shine the light of love and peace.
Our human world is getting darker, But the fires can still be lit, And the torches can still give clarity With a message sent around the world. Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen (from Ein Deutsches Requiem) Wie lieblich sind Deine Wohnungen, Herr Zebaoth! Meine Seele verlanget und sehnet sich Nach den Vorhöfen des Herrn; Mein Leib und Seele freuen sich In dem lebendigen Gott. Wohl denen, die in Deinem Hause wohnen, Die loben Dich immerdar! Shenandoah O Shenandoah, I long to see you And hear your rolling river. (Refrain) 'Way, we're bound away, Across the wide Missouri. How lovely is Thy dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts! For my soul, it longeth, yet fainteth, For the courts of the Lord; My soul and body crieth out, Yea, for the living God. O blest are they that dwell within Thy house; They praise Thy name evermore! I long to see your smiling valley And hear your rolling river. (Refrain) 'Tis seven long years since last I see you, And hear your rolling river. (Refrain) Witness Who‘ll be a witness for my Lord? Oh I’ll be a witness for my Lord. There was a man of the Pharisees, His name was Nicodemus and he didn’t believe. The same came to Christ by night, wanted to be taught out of human sight. Nicodemus was a man who desired to know How a man can be born when he is old. Christ told Nicodemus as a friend: ‘’Man you must be born again.’’ He said: ‘’Marvel not, man, if you want to be wise, Repent, believe, and be baptized.’’ Then you’ll be a witness for my Lord; soul is a witness for my Lord. You read about Samson, from his birth, He was the strongest man that ever lived on earth. Way back yonder in ancient times he killed ten thousand of the Phillistines. Then old Samson went a wand’rin’ about. Samson’s strength was never found out. ‘Till his wife sat upon his knee. She said: ‘’Tell me where your strength lies, if you please!’’ Samson’s wife, she talk so fair Samson said: ‘’Cut off a my hair! Shave my head just as clean as your hand, And my strength will come like a natural man.’’ Samson was a witness for my Lord; soul is a witness for my Lord. There’s another witness for my Lord! My soul is a witness for my Lord. Hymn to Freedom When every heart joins every heart and together yearns for liberty: That's when we'll be free. When every hand joins every hand and together molds our destiny: That's when we'll be free. Any hour, any day, the time soon will come when all will live in dignity: That's when we'll be free, we will be. When everyone joins in our song and together singing harmony: That's when we'll be free. Cover Art: “Global Wings of Peace,” photograph of a sculpture by Barbara Turner “… and I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world.” Sadako This artwork was inspired by Sadako, her wish, her insight. Peace cranes surround a 3D rendering of our globe, and form the traveling flock in their continued journey to share and proclaim the message of Peace. They fly and form the actual " peace sign " that is known to all, that speaks 1000 words, just as the 1000 cranes share the wish for peace around our world. ~ Barbara Turner The North Shore Choral Society thanks David Hiett and staff at Regina Dominican High School. Thank you to The Saints for ushering at today’s concert.
PROFILES Conductor Tetsuo Hashio majored in voice and graduated from the Music Department at Kyoto City Art University. He furthered his study of voice in Europe under the direction of Madam Gisella Aolmann in Cologne, Germany, and Karl Heinz Tuttner in Vienna, Austria. He also studied under the late Haruo Ueda and the late Takamichi Teshima. Since then, he has had operatic roles such as the Count in Marriage of Figaro and Papageno in The Magic Flute by Mozart, in addition to roles in Albert Herring by Britten, The Telephone by Menotti, and Okonjoruri by Hikaru Hayashi, among others. While holding his own concerts as a baritone soloist and with a small ensemble, he directs and conducts a total of 12 chorus groups including a choir of mixed voices, a women’s choir, a men’s choir, and a choir of boys and girls. On the concert tours produced by composer Norio Suzuki, he conducted choruses at Smetana Hall in Prague, Czech Republic, in 2007, at the great hall, The Golden Room of Vienna Music Association, in 2009, and at the Vienna National Opera House, Schönbrunn Palace, in 2011. At the audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican in November 2014, Mr. Hashio did the reading of the lyrics to Mother Teresa -­‐ Words of Love composed by Norio Suzuki. Commissioned by Suzuki, he conducted a choir of 250 singers in concert of pieces composed by Suzuki: Mother Teresa -­‐ Words of Love, Lemon Elegy (mixed voices), Resolution For the Future (women’s voices), and Forever (orchestra) for their premieres to high critical acclaim. Gary Geiger, Artistic Director and Founder of Evanston Children’s Choir, is a native of East Cleveland, Ohio. He began playing piano at an early age, pursuing most of his studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music under several teachers including Gloria Fok, Wesley Ball, and Jacqueline Buckley Platten for classical training, and Marshall Griffith for a foundation in jazz. Gary holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from Northwestern University in addition to his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Piano Performance from Northwestern and DePaul Universities, respectively. Gary's collegiate piano instructors were Deborah Sobol of the Chicago Chamber Musicians and Mary Sauer of the Chicago Symphony. His chamber music study includes guidance by artists such as Larry Combs, Julie DeRoche, and Lawrence Davis, and he studied composition with Alan Jay Yim. Gary had an original composition premiered in the nationally renowned Waa-­‐Mu show during his sophomore year at Northwestern. He was a recipient of Northwestern's Corrine Frada Pick Award for Piano in 1991. Gary has worked extensively as a vocal and instrumental accompanist in the Chicago area, performing in major concert venues throughout the Midwest, including Ravinia and Chicago’s Symphony Center, as well as in the southwestern U.S. and Japan. Gary’s work with singers began with accompanying/vocal coaching in voice studios at Northwestern University. In 1996 he became a pianist for the Chicago Children’s Choir, where he delved deeply into all aspects of children’s choral music. There he premiered choral works of composers such as Danny Wallenberg, Bob Applebaum, and Ted Hearne. Several of Gary’s own choral compositions were premiered by various CCC choirs as well. Perhaps most notably, Gary gradually began to assume an assisting director’s role while at the CCC, paving the way for his eventual pursuit of choral directing as a vocation under the mentorship of conductor/composer Danny Wallenberg. In the fall of 2002, Gary founded a children’s choir at the Musical Offering in Evanston where he served on the Board of Directors from 2004-­‐2006. The "Musical Offering Children’s Choir" was later re-­‐named the Evanston Children’s Choir and became an independent organization in 2007. In addition to his continued work with the ECC, Gary maintains a private piano studio of over 30 students. Gary lives in Evanston with his wife, Mie, and daughters Nanami (4) and Kotomi (1 1/2). Donald Chen, a graduate of The Juilliard School and University of Iowa from which he earned the degree Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting, has served on the faculty of Mount Holyoke College, Webster University, and Chicago College of Performing Arts of Roosevelt University. He was Chorus Master of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Music Director and Conductor of The Bach Society of Saint Louis, Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra, and North Shore Choral Society. He now focuses his energy on his post, Director of Music, at The Village Presbyterian Church, Northbrook. He happily joins all in celebrating the Society’s 80th anniversary, an admirable accomplishment that can only be realized with dedicated support from many corners: singers, instrumentalists, members of the board, and audience. He sincerely wishes that the Society will continue to flourish and serve its community with beautiful music and joyous singing. North Shore Choral Society is delighted to have Donald on the podium again, helping celebrate this 80th season! He was a part of the NSCS family for more than a quarter of its existence, and the music he directed is still influencing his singers. Faith Keady is originally from Park Ridge, Illinois, and has lived in the Chicago area all her life. Faith has been deeply passionate about music ever since beginning piano lessons with her mom at age four. In May 2015, she received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from North Park University where she studied applied conducting with Dr. Julia Davids and applied voice with Dr. Annie Picard. While at North Park, Faith was also a member of the University Choir and Chamber Singers and sang in the ACDA Central Division Collegiate Repertoire Chorale in 2014. In the summer of 2014, Faith served as a front of house usher for the Grant Park Music Festival, and in her final year at North Park, she completed her student teaching at Carl Schurz High School where she taught choir and band. Faith now serves as Program Coordinator for the Chicago Center for Music Education. She is delighted and honored to join the North Shore Choral Society as a Conducting Apprentice and looks forward to working with this ensemble throughout their 80th season! Dr. Julia Davids has been the Music Director of the North Shore Choral Society since 2009. She enjoys a thriving career as a versatile musician. She is Associate Professor and the Stephen J. Hendrickson Chair of Choral Activities at North Park University, Chicago, where she directs the choirs and teaches conducting and music education. As a soprano soloist, she specializes in early music. This season includes solo appearances with Bella Voce and the Callipygian Players. Julia also serves as Director of Music Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church, Wilmette. Julia has been the Artistic Director of the Canadian Chamber Choir, Canada’s national professional chamber choir, since 2004. She has led the CCC on concert and workshop tours from coast to coast and conducted their recently released recording, Sacred Reflections of Canada – A Canadian Mass. Julia is co-­‐author with Stephen LaTour of the book Vocal Technique – A Guide for Conductors, Teachers, and Singers published by Waveland Press and winner of Choral Canada’s award for Best Choral Publication, and is in demand as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor. She holds degrees in Education, Conducting, and Voice Performance from the University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario), the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan), and a D.M. from Northwestern University. Julia resides in Skokie with her husband, baroque violinist Martin Davids, and their two children, Judith and Solomon. Chinatsu Matsuda, pianist, graduated from the Music Department of the Kyoto City Art University and studied under Hiroko Inoue, Junko Matsushita, Kumiko Tsubaki, Yasuko Tasumi, and Ikuyo Kamiya. She took first place in the Governor’s Award competition of the 15th, 16th, and 21st Shiga Prefecture Piano Competition and won the first place award and the Excellence Award at the 7th Shiga Prefecture, as well. In the Young Artist Competition, Ms. Matsuda was the first place winner of PTNA and The Yomiuri Foundation Award at the West Japan Kyoto Competition for Four-­‐hand Piano Performance, and the third place winner of the Yangtze Cup International Music Competition. In 2009, she received the Heiwado Foundation Art Promotion Award. Presently, Ms. Matsuda is active in a wide range of performances such as piano recitals, performing as an accompanist, and in chamber music concerts. She is a member of Musica A, International Music Association, and of Kansai Modern Music Association. Recognized for her clarity of sound and noble interpretations, Chinese pianist Yingying Su established herself as a sensitive and imaginative musician, exhibiting a remarkable depth of musicianship and poise beyond her age. She is the winner of many national and international piano competitions which include: the Concurso International Piano Competition in Maracaibo, Venezuela (2005); National Piano Competition of China (1999); The Asia Opening Piano Competition for Young Pianists in Hong Kong (2001); the Bienen School of Music Thaviu-­‐Isaak Endowed Piano Scholarship Competition (2012), and the Bienen School of Music Concerto Competition (2012). She was also awarded the “Special Prize of the Jury” in the III International Piano Competition in Memory of Emil Gilels in Ukraine (2006); John Elvin Piano Prize from the Oberlin Conservatory (2006); and the Charles S. Miller Piano Prize from the Yale School of Music (2008). Ms. Su has performed at the Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Hall, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Celebrity Concert Series at the Heifetz International Music Institute, and has given numerous solo recitals in the United States, China, Germany, Ukraine, Spain, Venezuela, and Australia. She has appeared as the soloist with the Maracaibo Symphony Orchestra, the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra, and the Foshan Youth Symphony Orchestra, China, under conductors such as Eduardo Rahn and Victor Yampolsky. Ms. Su studied with Monique Duphil at the Oberlin Conservatory and with Peter Frankl at the Yale School of Music, and is now a doctoral candidate at the Beinen School of Music at Northwestern University, under the guidance of Alan Chow. Sharon R. Peterson has been pianist for the Chicago Symphony Chorus since 1978, as well as at Northwestern University, North Park University, and, for 34 years, the North Shore Choral Society. Sharon served as Accompanist for several years for Chicago Symphony Singers and CSC ensembles and as Score Reader for the filming of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at Symphony Center. At Lyric Opera of Chicago, Sharon has accompanied the Chorus, been Music Director of their “Opera In the Neighborhood” touring productions of The Magic Flute, and worked as Ballet Accompanist for Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito. During seven years in Sweden and Norway, Sharon developed a specialty in Scandinavian Piano and Organ Repertoire and worked as Staff Accompanist at the Royal Academy of Music in Oslo, Norway. Having studied with Elizabeth Buccheri at North Park College and Robert Weirich at Northwestern University, Sharon has pursued a career as Collaborative Pianist with singers such as Kathleen and Peter van de Graaff, and classical saxophonists, including Frederick L. Hemke, other instrumentalists, and as vocal coach. (Her specialty languages are Swedish and Norwegian.) She performs organ concerts, is Sub-­‐Dean of the American Guild of Organists North Shore Chapter, former Organist at North Park Covenant Church, and Interim Organist at St. James Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois. Sharon is in demand as Guest/Interim Organist in the Chicago area and serves as North Park University’s Seminary Organist. Koji Shigaki, narrator, a civil engineering graduate of Kyoto University, made his career designing public infrastructure. After retirement he took a local voice class and then joined a chorus group. Presently, Mr. Shigaki is a member of the choir for the group of mixed voices and the men’s choir, both under the direction of Mr. Tetsuo Hashio. He volunteers where local musical activities are concerned. Hitomi Hirunuma, translator, was born in Misawa, Aomori, Japan, and studied at Naugatuck (Connecticut) High School as a Rotary exchange student. She graduated from Dokko University where she studied foreign languages and was a member of the Broadcasting Club. Since then she has worked as an English teacher in Japan, a TV co-­‐host, and has coordinated the English language program at Soka Evangelical Free Church. Ms. Hirunuma lives with her husband and three children in Glenview. About the NSCS Choral Scholars Program The Choral Scholars program targets university students who have a desire to pursue choral singing in their community. Choral Scholars have a strong background in music and choral singing and are auditioned for this program by Music Director Dr. Julia Davids. North Shore Choral Society provides Choral Scholars with music and waives their membership dues to enable their participation. Choral Scholars work directly with Music Director Dr. Davids and the Board of Directors on special assignments related to the operations of the Choral Society. The Choral Scholars' experience provides students with an understanding of both the musical and business aspects of the choral organization. Participation in the program demonstrates that choral singing can be a lifelong pursuit. Alto II Sarah Cozzi is a NSCS Choral Scholar this season. We are currently accepting applications for Choral Scholars. Please contact General Manager Karen Rigotti at 773-­‐741-­‐6727 for more information. INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP CHORUS The Evanston Children’s Choir, directed by Gary Geiger, is a dynamic platform for "diversity in harmony," creating a transformative experience for young choir members from all walks of life and their varied audiences across Chicagoland. With a commitment to inclusion and accessibility, positive energy, and mutual respect, the ECC enables children and young adults to sing their hearts out in several strong, supportive ensembles which have an ever-­‐growing reputation for musical excellence. Based at Evanston’s Noyes Cultural Arts Center, ECC has performed in major venues including the Rosemont Theatre, Evanston’s Alice Millar Chapel, and the Harris Theater in Chicago’s Millennium Park. The ECC has grown from a mere three singers at its inception to a three-­‐tiered program that continues to expand. ECC ensembles are regularly sought after for collaborations and have shared the stage with the likes of the Apollo Chorus of Chicago, Barry Manilow, S.O.U.L. Creations, the Ondas Ensemble, the Evanston Symphony—and of course the North Shore Choral Society! All the while, since its founding in 2002, the ECC has remained committed to its roots, serenading Evanstonians young and old in free outreach performances at schools and community centers. The ECC accepts young people grades 2-­‐12 of all ability levels, and never turns any child away for lack of ability to pay. Please visit www.evanstonchildrenschoir.org for more information. The ECC has received the Mayor's Award for the Arts. ECC Concert Choir Caius Ahn Dawit A. Alemayehu Naomi Alemayehu Noah Alemayehu Ela Altay Agustina Arce Genevieve Brame Natalie Brame Nina Brame Giacomo Conde Miles Davidson Lucie Escobar Mia Garcia Andrea Hernandez Ava Kemppainen Eleanor Kemppainen Emma Kemppainen Isabella Kiedrowski Lucy Kingsbury Jane Klein Merryn Madison Ana McGarrity Emilie McNulty Bryn Morris Jessie Nadler Ainslie Pratt Anika Radhakrishnan Victoria Radmer Asher Ramaly Alexis Rogers Maia Roothaan Soraya Sullivan Ella Valavanis The North Shore Choral Society enthusiastically welcomes our new International Friends, the singers of Kyoto Concert Choir and Director Tetsuo Hashio, Accompanist Chinatsu Matsuda, Narrator Koji Shigaki, and Translator Hitomi Hirunuma. Kyoto Concert Choir Soprano Sumiko Yoshida Yoshimi Adachi Yukie Ohashi Rie Nakajima Mikiko Arizumi Etsuko Kunimoto Yumi Okajima Mezzo Soprano Sachiko Okumura Atsuko Sakai Naomi Kawai Chisako Isotani Alto Mezzo Alto Eiko Maeda Kuniko Yasuda Hamako Kondo Masako Asami Noriko Wakasugi Harumi Tsuda Yukimi Kambara Mariko Kawashima Setsuko Tanaka North Shore Choral Society Soprano –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Mei Aden * Anne Harkonen Mande Mischler Pam Anderson Christine Hoffmeyer * Cynthia Mollner Lauren Bauerschmidt Mary Johnson Donna Nitahara Marcia Maus Bollo Jean Joslyn * Catherine Porter Debbie Buesing Faith Keady * Claudette Rasmussen Lorena Estrada Jane Kenamore Ginny Roeder Beth Galfer Martha Kinzel * Sally Ryan Leah Gistenson * Laura Koroski * Dorothy Scott * Betsy Gladfelter Bethany Lindner * Phoebe Segal Maria del Rosario Gomez Melissa Lindner Roxann Specht * Judith Greene * Julie McDowell * Carli Uphill * Sarah Haggett Lisa McGowan Anna Zahm Alto –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Barbara Brantigan Jill Horwitz * Jo Ann Seager * Liz Costello-­‐Kruzich Lynn Kendall * Caitlin Sellnow Else-­‐Britt DeLong Inge Kistler Nancy Slichenmyer * Susan Demaree Marilyn Leipsiger Loretta Smith * Barbara Dershin Stephanie McDaniel Joan Soper Antje Draganski Joan Merchan Barbara Struthers Chris Erenberg Pauline Michael * Erica Sufritz * Fusayo Errico Kristina Nyberg Judy Taylor Fran Faller Myrna Orenstein Stacey Watson Linda Faller Elena Repp Barbara Weiner Nancy Friday Karen Rigotti * Amy Weller * Debbie Geismar * Emily Rivera * Trish Winter Jo Anne Gerules Kay Rossiter Julie Wygodny Anne Heider* Jane Schieber * Anne Zald Tenor –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Douglas Aden * Eric Johnson Tom Olkowski Stuart Bard * Brian Keady Jonathan Rivera David Betzold * Carl Kettler * David W. Taylor David Crumrine * Jeff Kinzel * Scott Vogl John Darrow * Nicholas Krupp * Clyde Walter Bill Erenberg Bass –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Terry Duchow * Thomas Keller Dirk Walvoord * Andrew Fisher * Glen Lindemann Steve Warner Bruce Gladfelter Eric Robison Dan Woodard Anthony Green John Summerhays * Yang Zhou * David Hunt * Harry Vroegh * singing with Chamber Choir The North Shore Choral Society reaches out to … … the arts community. NSCS was represented at the One State in the Arts conference held in Evanston, September 27th – 29th. NSCS members served as volunteers at the conference, and a NSCS concert recording was played during lunch. The NSCS 80th Anniversary video was available for viewing throughout the conference. … NSCS members, alumni, family, and friends. On Sunday, October 18th, NSCS hosted an 80th Anniversary reunion party at the Levy Center. The celebration highlighted the 80 year history of NSCS with picture displays, the 80th Anniversary video, reminiscences, food, beverage, and singing! … other performing groups. NSCS joined the Evanston Symphony Orchestra in its annual Christmas program at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, 2015, at Evanston Township High School. On Sunday, April 3, 2016, at 3 p.m., NSCS is joining special guests from Japan, the Kyoto Concert Choir with Tetsuo Hashio, as well as the Evanston Children’s Choir, in a concert of International Friendship at Regina Dominican High School. … music lovers in retirement communities. NSCS presented a holiday concert again this season at 4 p.m. on December 13, 2015, at Three Crowns Park Retirement Community. … university students. The NSCS Choral Scholars program targets university students who have a desire to pursue choral singing. This season, art therapy graduate school student Sarah Cozzi is a Choral Scholar. … talented young Chicago singers. The Donald Chen Young Artist Award was established to reward talented young singers with solo roles in one of our concerts each season. The 2016 DCYAA competition was held February 6, 2016, 7:30 p.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette. Our 2015 DCYAA winner, baritone Sean Stanton, will be a soloist in our Saturday, May 14, 2016 concert. … the Evanston community. On Sunday, April 17, 2016, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Block Museum on the Northwestern campus, North Shore Choral Society will present an 80th Anniversary Benefit screening of Kerry Candaele’s film Following the Ninth: In the Footsteps of Beethoven’s Final Symphony. The public is invited to join NSCS for the pre-­‐film talk, the film screening, wine and hors d’oeuvres, and an exciting door prize opportunity.
__________________ NSCS has contacted Dr. Martin Luther King Arts School in Evanston to request peace related children’s artwork to complement our two spring concerts: April 3rd at Reginia Dominican High School, Wilmette, Illinois, and May 14, 2016, at Pick Staiger Concert Hall in Evanston. Third grade students will create a mural in the theme of peace inspired by the music, “Shalom – A Reason for Peace” by Robert Evans for our April 3rd concert. Middle school students will create small, individual collages inspired by the lyrics of Requiem For Peace by Larry Nickel for our May 14th concert. These works of art will be displayed in one or more of the following locations: Regina Dominican High School lobby on April 3rd, the Evanston Public Library from May 3rd through May 13th, and the lobby of Pick Staiger Concert Hall on May 14th. … and Chicago area peace groups. NSCS is collaborating with several peace groups in the Chicago area such as Hands of Peace and will be providing information about their organizations in conjunction with our Chicago premiere performance of Larry Nickel’s Requiem for Peace on May 14, 2016, at Pick Staiger Concert Hall. For information about any of these outreach programs, please call 773-­‐741-­‐NSCS/ 772-­‐741-­‐6727. MANY THANKS TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SERVING NORTH SHORE CHORAL SOCIETY IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS MUSIC DIRECTOR Julia Davids ACCOMPANIST Sharon Rich Peterson GENERAL MANAGER Karen Rigotti CONDUCTING APPRENTICE: Faith Keedy BOARD OF DIRECTORS Anne Harkonen, President Marcia Bollo John Darrow Susan Demaree Fran Faller Linda Faller Carl Kettler Julie McDowell Scott Paine Emily Rivera Steve Warner COORDINATORS and VOLUNTEERS 2 Pam Anderson Len Barker Marcia Bollo Lauren Bauerschmidt Debbie Buesing David Crumrine 1 John Darrow Susan Demaree 2 1 Antje Draganski Fran Faller 2 Linda Faller 2 Kent Fuller Jo Anne Gerules 2 1 Section Leader 2 th Ginny Roeder 2, 3 Kay Rossiter 1 Sally Ryan Dorothy Scott Phoebe Segal Milly Silverstein 3 Kathryn Skelton Nancy Slichenmyer Lori Smith 2, 3 John Summerhays 3 Harry Vroegh 1, 3 Dan Woodard Anne Zald Bruce Gladfelter Jamie Godshalk 1 Rose Gomez Anne Heider Jane Kenamore Melinda Kwedar Marj Lundy Stephanie McDaniel Julie McDowell 1, 3 Jim Miller Tom Olkowski Karen Rigotti 2 Emily Rivera 3 3 80 Anniversary Committee Member Nominating Committee Member 80TH SEASON
2015 - 2016
SONGS OF PEACE
Sing, Share, Inspire
The North Shore Choral Society invites you to join us for the
crown jewel of our anniversary celebration,
Requiem for Peace
By Larry Nickel
This Chicago premiere performance will feature full orchestra and
soloists for Larry Nickel’s stunning work, performed worldwide to rave
reviews. Poetry and musical styles of war-torn nations are combined in
a powerful and transcendent work calling for reconciliation. The
composer will join us for an interview with WBEZ’s Worldview host,
Jerome McDonnell!
"Larry Nickel's work poignantly expresses a universal hope for peace: a
major work on a grand scale – an all encompassing, all inclusive work,
which demonstrates craft, genius, moral and religious conviction, and a
profound sense of musical integrity." Dr. Stephen Chatman
Saturday, May 14, 2016, 8:00 p.m.
Pick Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston, Illinois
P.O. Box 103, Evanston 60204-0103 / Info 773-741-6727 (NSCS)
Tickets: 773-956-8400